OCR

THE TWIN VENTRILOQ UISTS. ' 73
“Ya?
“ Why?"
“I hardly dare tell you.”
“Do you know anything about that picture?”
“Shall I speak right out?” A
“Certainly.”
“I know the original of that picture.”
“ Young man, you lie, and you need not come here
with any such wild story. Hark you, I have but to give
an alarm-touch" a button-and I will have a whole pla-
toon of police here.”
“You do not need the police.”
“How do .1 know?”
“I will convince you.”
“You will convince me?”
“ I will.”
“ Do so.” - M.
“I repeat, I know the original of that picture.”
“Are you a maniac or a rogue?”
“I am neither.”
4‘ Let me look in your face.”
Ike stood with his face turned toward the strange old
man. The latter thrust his right forward and carefully
studied the ventriloquist’s features.
“ You do not look like a rogue or a maniac.”
“I am neither.”
“Then why did you force yourself into my house?”
“I came here as your friend.”
“I need no friends.”
“Yes, youneed me.”
“I do?”
“Yes.”
“How is it I need you ?”
“I am going to do you a great service.” 3
“You are?”